By: Miguel Ernesto Yusty

THE MENU is a film that appears to be an ensemble piece, meaning it's a collection of characters in which any one could be a protagonist. They've paid for dinner on an island where, rather than being entertained, they'll be part of a ritual of expiation in which the only certainty is sophisticated dining, where the menu is imposed, and they have no say in what's served to them. Three figures stand out in the cast: Ralph Fiennes, Anya Taylor-Joy, and John Leguizamo. The film is a resounding call to return to the simplicity of eating, where consuming food should be an act of basic joy. To support this idea, the story takes all sorts of chilling turns, which only serve to enhance the film's intended conclusion.

The film's aesthetic is reminiscent of the Netflix series CHEF'S TABLE, which began airing in 2015 and ran for nine seasons. Beyond chronicling the lives of prominent figures in the culinary world, the common thread running through all its episodes is the passion that characterizes the chefs featured. This same element is present in THE MENU, both in the film's chef and in the other characters. Their passion will be the driving force behind their actions, as well as the reason for their downfall.

The film is directed by Mark Mylod, known for his work on popular television series such as GAME OF THRONES and for directing three other films. Mylod manages to demonstrate that of all the characters the film introduces, the one who seems least honest is the most deceived and the most adept at discovering what is truly important in life. THE MENU is a quest for the very essence of pleasure, striving to prune the garden of sensory enjoyment of all weeds and distracting embellishments.